Executive Director of Ambulatory Services

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is seeking an exceptional Executive Director of Ambulatory Services to provide strategic, operational, financial, and clinical leadership across our full ambulatory footprint. Reporting directly to the Chief Ambulatory Officer, this executive leader will oversee six Directors and guide the operations of hospital-based and community practice clinics with a focus on patient access, operational efficiencies, financial performance, and staff development. As the premier academic health system serving Central Missouri, MU Health Care offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned ambulatory leader to advance integrated, patient-centered care in an academic medical setting while supporting our mission of saving and improving lives.
The ideal candidate is an experienced, innovative, and collaborative executive who brings senior-level Director or Executive Director experience, a master’s degree in health administration, business administration, or a related field, and long-tenured leadership success in a multi-site, geographically dispersed operational environment. This leader will thrive as a mentor to an experienced, accountable, high-performing group of Directors and will be energized by the opportunity to lead in a supportive, mission-driven culture that is built for impact. For an ambulatory executive passionate about academic medicine, safety-net care, and serving a diverse mix of rural, urban, and suburban communities, this role offers the chance to shape access, performance, and care delivery across a vital and growing health system.

Requirements

• Master's degree in health administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressive and significant leadership experience in health care including experience in managing and leading multispecialty ambulatory care services.
• Experience in leading multi-site operations.

Nice To Haves

• Defines and executes system-wide strategies to advance the mission, health equity, and patient-centered care.
• Leads multi-campus operations with alignment across clinical, academic, and administrative domains to ensure cohesive execution.
• Oversees complex budgets and regulatory structures, aligning finances with population health goals and building key external partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Leads the operations of hospital-based and community practice clinics, including staffing, financial management, process improvement, and access optimization to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Collaborates with the Medical Director of Ambulatory Care in a triad leadership structure to align physician and staff efforts with operational, clinical, and financial goals.
• Develops, recommends, and executes ambulatory care strategies based on market trends, legislative changes, patient feedback, and national benchmarks in alignment with the organization's strategic plan.
• Acts as a change agent to drive continuous improvement in patient access, operational workflows, clinical and financial outcomes, and employee, physician, and patient satisfaction.
• Develops and mentors staff at all levels to achieve high performance and realize their professional potential.
• Ensures the development of operating systems and an effective organizational structure to support optimal service delivery and achievement of institutional goals.
• Leads the planning and execution of market share growth initiatives in ambulatory services by analyzing service area demographics and physician referral patterns.
• Establishes clinical and operational metrics to enhance revenue generation, patient access, care efficiency, and health outcomes across ambulatory services.
• Collaborates with departments such as the Office of Clinical Effectiveness to improve the quality of outpatient care delivery.
• Serves as a liaison to strengthen coordination between inpatient and outpatient care services, ensuring seamless transitions and continuity of care.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships between medical staff and hospital leadership to foster collaboration and support shared objectives.
• Promotes continuous performance improvement focused on patient, physician, and staff satisfaction.
• Partners with internal stakeholders to design and implement patient-centered care models that address ambulatory care needs.
• Leads short- and long-term planning for ambulatory care facilities, including space expansion, capital equipment investments, and new service development.
• Develops, implements, and monitors the annual operating and capital budgets for all outpatient clinics.
• Leads a culture of safety through proactive risk mitigation and continuous quality improvement, taking measures to routinely evaluate regulatory readiness. Monitors and analyzes safety and performance metrics to identify trends and implement corrective actions for staff and/or patients as appropriate.
• May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive